Since last year, the high esteemed book fair in Frankfurt has become a great opportunity for self-publishers to promote projects, network internationally and educate. We provide an overview of the essential information and numerous tips, how you get the best out of visiting a book fair.

4 TOP ADVANTAGES FOR SELF-PUBLISHERS

1. Unique Stages

Speed-Marketing
Three self-publishers can present their projects and marketing concepts at the Self-Publishing Stage on Sunday at 13:15. Experts will give professional feedback and tips. Even for the audience, this event is a great opportunity to learn new marketing strategies and to talk with fellow authors and industry professionals. Apply here with this form.

eBook Gallery
The eBook Gallery presents self-published works on tablets and eReaders accompanied with informative set cards. Apply up to four titles for 92.01 EUR with this form.

Tip: Let your readers and author colleagues know when you will be there. The best time is the weekend (Oct. 10-12), because the fair is open for all visitors then. Use the campaign “Wir sind hier” and upload your profile!

2. Precious Knowledge

Most fairs and conferences provide a program of educational events. At the FBF, the Publishing Perspective Stage (Hall 8.0) offer a top-class panels in English, to name one: Alison Baverstock on Self-Publishing Process: Step-By-Step Best Practices on Saturday at 10:30am. The speeches on Saturday are free and the Add-On Ticket for the workshops on Friday costs 94.01 EUR. Here you find the whole program in English.

3. Top Meeting-Points
These days, important representatives of the international book industry will gather in Frankfurt. Therefore, this is the best opportunity to network with relevant people. Where you can meet them?

Panel Discussions
It is not easy to have a quiet and effective talk with agents, publishers or editors on the fair; they are on a tight schedule and fix their meetings months in advance. How you can “catch” them? Address them directly after theirpanel discussions. However, prepare for a very short talk: Note precise questions, get to the point immediately, and have your business card and a snippet of your manuscript ready.

Meet & Greet
Use Author-Badges and the ID-Wall (available at the Self-Publishing Area in hall 3.1) to let others know you are here and to meet others. Every evening at 5pm, there is the Meet & Greet at the Self-Publishing Stage, where you can connect with service providers or other authors. This is also the perfect possibility to arrange meetings with your German fans.

Tip: Focus not only the Self-Publishing and International Areas. There is also a great Illustrator Corner for instance.

4. Inspirational Impressions

Do not underestimate the various impressions you can gain as a self-publisher from fairs like this: They range from innovative marketing-strategies to the trends of new releases. Experiencing the flair of a book fair is fun and motivates for your new projects.

Tip: To maximize the effect of your visit, announce it in advance and share your unique moments via your blog, Facebook or Twitter. Post a selfie with your set card or your fans for example!

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A RELAXED BOOK FAIR EXPERIENCE

Planning:

This huge offer of panels, discussions and meetings requires a good organization to avoid headache and to make your visit sustainable:

Define Your Goals
Take your time to think about the goals of your visit:
Are you looking for a publisher? Do you want to educate yourself? Or do you want to connect with (new) readers?
Your goal is fixed, than ask yourself: Where and how are you going to achieve this goal? When and where are you going to meet this people? And do you need a fixed appointment? The Frankfurt Book Fair offers an Online Catalogue with all exhibitors.

Get an Overview of the Program
Use the immense range of events! Define the topics of your interest and weaknesses you want to improve and search for specific panels and workshops in the Event Calendar. Download your personal schedule as PDF. Keep in mind that if the events are not in the same hall it can take you sometimes more than 15 minutes to get there despite of shuttle-busses.

Business Cards & Give-AwaysYou are going to meet your readers or network with important people, so invest in high quality business cards, flyers to your book or small give-aways to stay in their mind.

Dress-Code

The ways from one hall to another can be endless …

therefore, the most precious tip from experienced fair visitors is this one: Wear comfortable shoes and leave your unworn, shiny ones at home!

Survival Kit

Business Cards, Flyers and Give-Aways

Your eBook on a eReader or tablet

Pain killers

Breath refresher

Bottle of water

Some snack – you don’t want that your stomach snarls to your new agent

Note book and pens

Mobile phone with charger

General Information on the Frankfurt Book Fair

Tickets
As a self-publisher you can buy tickets for professional visitors. The ticket of the advance sale costs 36.00 EUR (instead of 52.00 EUR) for one day and 72.00 EUR (104.00 EUR) for the whole five days. The Add-On-Ticket for the English conference on Friday costs 94,01 EUR and as a package with the five days 153.51 EUR. Save 10% and use our voucher-code “SelfPublishing14Discount”!

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Patricia is a member of the XinXii Distribution team. She is responsible for the conversion, validation and delivery of eBooks. Patricia has studied Comparative Literature and since then she has been engaged intensively with eBooks and digital media.

3 Comments

Dear XinXii…the post Do you have writing talent?
I don’t know..
anyway I don’t like to read what I write the second time…
it’s like cold rice…
I wish it is like writing on water
and does not stay in memory…
one ebook is enough..
just like Anne Frank’s diary